Merrily We Roll Along showcased a stellar performance at the 2024 Tony Awards, securing four out of seven nominations, including prestigious honors for Best Musical Revival and individual accolades for Jonathan Groff as Best Lead Actor and Daniel Radcliffe as Best Featured Actor. Riding this wave of success, the filmed adaptation of this beloved Stephen Sondheim musical is poised to make a splash in the upcoming movie awards.
While the film is not eligible for Oscar consideration due to Academy rules on filmed performances—similar to the situation faced by Hamilton—Gold Derby reports that the movie version will be in contention for multiple other prestigious awards. It is set to compete at the Golden Globes, the Critics Choice Awards, and various guild awards, such as those from the Producers Guild, Directors Guild, and SAG’s Actor Awards.
Sony Pictures Classics plans to submit the film in several comedy/musical categories at the Globes. Included in these submissions are nominations for Best Musical/Comedy Film and for both Radcliffe and Groff as Best Musical/Comedy Actors. Lindsey Mendez is also in the running for Best Musical/Comedy Actress. Furthermore, Radcliffe and Mendez were promoted for these awards; while they were recognized in the featured category for the Tony Awards, they will be categorized as leads for the SAG awards, where the entire cast is being entered for Best Ensemble.
The anticipated release of the Merrily We Roll Along film by Sony Pictures Classics and Fathom Entertainment is set for December 5. This unique interpretation, inspired by the 1934 play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, delves into the lives of three friends—Franklin Shepard (Groff), Charley Kringas (Radcliffe), and Mary Flynn (Mendez)—as it intricately chronicles their relationships over time, reversing the narrative from the aftermath of their emotional fallout to the joyful beginnings of their friendship. The revival was directed by Maria Friedman, adding a fresh perspective to this classic story.
With its rich emotional narrative and celebrated cast, Merrily We Roll Along not only demonstrates the enduring impact of Sondheim’s work but also evokes a hopeful anticipation for its forthcoming cinematic adaptation, promising to capture the hearts of both audiences and critics alike.